ABSTRACT
Old age is a stage in the life cycle about which there are numerous stereotypes. It is commonly believed that the elderly live socially isolated existences, beset with health problems and experiencing considerable emotional stress. Another popular stereotype is that the elderly population constitutes a homogeneous social group. This reflects the commonly held view of old age as a great leveller. Consequently, older people are perceived, by both the general public and many social researchers, as all being alike.
